Juilliard and the Denyce Graves Foundation Present the New York Premiere Screening of 'Simon Estes: A Heart & A Voice'

JUILLIARD AND THE DENYCE GRAVES FOUNDATION PRESENT THE NEW YORK PREMIERE SCREENING OF SIMON ESTES: A HEART & A VOICE 

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Documentary Film Screening and Conversation With Simon Estes 

Co-Hosted By Juilliard Distinguished Visiting Faculty Denyce Graves and Juilliard President Damian Woetzel 

ABOUT: 

The Juilliard School in partnership with The Denyce Graves Foundation presents the New York premiere screening of Simon Estes: A Heart & A Voice on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 7pm in Morse Recital Hall. A conversation with Simon Estes, moderated by Juilliard president Damian Woetzel, will follow the 96-minute screening. The evening will be cohosted by legendary mezzo-soprano and distinguished visiting faculty member?Denyce Graves.?? 

The documentary celebrates the remarkable journey of Juilliard alum and 2022 honorary doctorate recipient Simon Estes, the trailblazing bass baritone whose unparalleled career spans 104 operatic roles in 84 opera houses, performances with 115 orchestras worldwide, and more than 30 album recordings of Broadway songs, classical arias, and traditional spirituals.?? 

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Drawing on archival footage and stills along with more than 65 recent interviews, the film?explores how?Estes?broke through barriers for Black men in opera and captures his life beyond his operatic acclaim, highlighting his devout faith and service to others.???? 

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CALENDAR DETAILS: 

Simon Estes: A Heart & A Voice 

New York Premiere Documentary Film Screening and Conversation?With?Simon Estes? 

Co-Hosted by Juilliard Distinguished Visiting Faculty Denyce Graves and Juilliard President Damian Woetzel 

Presented in Collaboration with the Denyce Graves Foundation 

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 | 7pm 

Morse Recital Hall 

FREE, tickets required 

www.juilliard.edu 

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Juilliard’s creative enterprise programming, including the Creative Associates program, is generously supported by Jody and John Arnhold and the Arnhold Foundation. 

About Simon Estes 
Simon Estes (’64, voice; former faculty) has sung more than 100 roles in 84 opera houses, performing with over 115 orchestras worldwide. His repertoire includes the Flying Dutchman, Boris Godunov, Nabucco, Macbeth, Figaro, Porgy, and Moses, with appearances at the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Opéra de Paris, Bayreuth Festival, and major opera houses across Europe and the United States. Born in Iowa, Estes studied at the University of Iowa and Juilliard. He has sung for seven U.S. presidents and global leaders and is renowned for his humanitarian work and lifelong commitment to education. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the art form, he was one of the first people accepted to Opera America’s Opera Hall of Fame.